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Your friend just turned 50 and after seeing his doctor was told his physical exam was fine and he appeared to be in good health. Two days later he was in the hospital with a heart attack. This is a nightmare scenario for doctors as well as the patient with the heart attack. So how do we do better in predicting and preventing heart attacks and stroke? Causes of Heart Attacks Heart attacks and strokes are caused by blockages in coronary arteries (heart) or cerebral arteries (stroke). These are caused by a build up of cholesterol plaque that eventually deprives […]

So you just got back from your doctor where you were told that you are at high risk for a heart attack and need to start a statin medication to lower your cholesterol. You then tell your wife who refers you to her best friend Jane. Jane says her brother was put on a statin and had all kinds of problems. Jane then refers you to the internet site where people report problems with medications. You read about muscle aches and something unpronounceable called rhabdomyolysis. You think to yourself “holy sh**” I’m not going to take this stuff. Your doctor […]

The Paleo diet, low carb diet, protein and produce diet, keto diet and Miami Beach diet are all very similar. There are many advocates of the Paleo diet because it is the way humans ate before agriculture. Humans have been around for at least 300,000 years. Some upright form of us, called homids, have been around for about 1,000,000 years. In these early years we were hunter gatherers and foragers. This means that we did not have agriculture. We ate a lot of meat, killing the bear, Woolly mammoth, saber toothed tiger or other animals for food, and in between, […]

February is National Heart Month Contrary to popular belief it is heart disease that kills most of us, not cancer. The pain associated with a heart attack is called angina. In men it is manifested as a heaviness or pressure in the chest, neck and jaw or left arm. Women many times experience only fatigue, shortness of breath, or a sense of doom. Men experience heart attacks at a younger age but are more likely to survive a heart attack because of their larger coronary arteries. We now have the tools and medications to largely prevent coronary artery disease. Risk […]

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) reports that flu is widespread in all states except Hawaii. Most cases reported are Influenza A type H2N2. In the last week there were 9 pediatric deaths. 8.2% of all deaths were due to influenza plus pneumonia. How do you protect yourself from the flu: Get the flu shot now! It is not too late. The flu shot cannot give you the flu. It is indicated for EVERYONE over the age of 6 months. Babies and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. If you are in close personal contact with someone who has been […]